Top 5 Factors for Successful Logistics Operations with Los Angeles 3PL Warehouses

This article discusses the key factors behind successful logistics operations in the Los Angeles area, including:

• Strategically locating their warehouse facilities near ports of entry, major transportation networks, and population centers.
• Having a deep understanding of potential supply chain disruptions.
• The ability to quickly process incoming items and get them back on the road for deliveries. 
• Achieving real-time visibility into inventory levels
• Partnering with logistics providers who are responsive to the needs of their clients. 

Managing logistics in Southern California isn’t for the faint of heart. 

There are thousands of miles of roadways that span across the region, and, every day, millions of drivers take to these roads to make their daily commute. There are also railways headed in nearly every direction and dozens of ships arriving at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach every day. 

The good news is that you don’t have to go it alone. Partnering with a 3PL warehouse vendor can help you nail logistics operations in the region. 

Here are some critical factors behind successful logistics in Southern California. 

1. They Strategically Locate Their Facilities Near the Ports and Major Roadways

After imported goods arrive at either one of the region’s ports, companies need to store them in a warehouse. But, if your company is like many others in Southern California, you’re struggling with delayed deliveries stemming from truck congestion at either one of the region’s ports. Location is a key factor of streamlined supply chain logistics operations. 

Every day, more than 10,000 trucks enter and leave the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. This creates an unimaginable level of traffic congestion. As a result, warehouse operators must locate their facilities near enough to the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to minimize the amount of time it takes for trucks to pick up the items and drop them off and promote streamlined logistics operations, since many make multiple trips throughout the day.

At the same time, warehouses need to be located in a part of the region that is as close as equidistant to its major centers of commerce – including Los Angeles, San Diego, Long Beach, and Anaheim – as possible. This minimizes the amount of time it takes to deliver items from the warehouse facility to the end customer. Just as importantly, warehouses must be in close proximity to major highways and railways. 

2. Their Employees Understand the Factors that Can Disrupt Logistics in the Region

A second critical factor of successful logistics operations is an understanding of potential supply chain disruptions within a region. There are countless sources of disruption in Southern California. It’s not a matter of if they will happen, but when. These disruptions can delay orders and leave your business in a precarious position. 

Whether it’s a wildfire in one of the region’s forests, an earthquake, or just your everyday traffic jam, potential slowdowns are inevitable. In fact, the average commute in Los Angeles takes more than 30 minutes. Skilled 3PL providers can, however, minimize the frequency of delayed orders and promote smooth logistics operations by having contingency plans in place. If, for example, the I-5 is shut down because of a car accident, the 3PL could prevent slowdowns in logistics operations by alerting drivers and redirecting them toward an alternative route used in the past. 

Alternatively, 3PL partners can choose the optimal source of transportation. During periods when freight trains are offering low rates, for instance, they could choose to ship goods to their final destination via train rather than truck. This keeps logistics operations costs low while minimizing late deliveries.

3. They Can Receive Imported Goods–and Then Quickly Get Them Back on the Road

During periods of high customer demand, items can move off of warehouse shelves quickly. This fast movement of goods can make logistics in Southern California even trickier than usual. If your company is struggling to keep up with demand while keeping transportation costs down, you may want to explore a partnership with a 3PL warehousing provider. 

Top 3PL warehouse companies are prepared for these periods of elevated activity. Through a logistics operations process called cross-docking, items can be unloaded from an inbound truck and quickly loaded onto an outbound truck. With cross-docking, items are never removed from pallets. Instead, the pallets are transferred from one side of the facility to the other. Great operators can unload a truck and have items on their way in short order, which is a key factor of successful logistics operations. 

4. You Can Get Real-time Access to Your Company’s Inventory Levels

Does your company struggle to keep track of its inventory levels? You’re not alone. Forty-three percent of small businesses say they aren’t tracking their inventory at all. Unfortunately, this lack of visibility can be costly. 

Stockouts can lead to missed sales, while overstocking can inflate storage costs. The good news is that modern technology has made it easy for companies to see how much inventory they have on hand at their 3PL partner’s warehouse facility, which is a critical factor behind modern logistics operations. Inventory management software allows users to see how much inventory is stored in the facility, when their next delivery is expected to arrive, and more. 

This type of transparency makes it simple for companies to coordinate with their contacts at the 3PL facility, and follow up with their suppliers if orders are delayed or incorrect. 

5. They Are Responsive to the Needs of Their Clients 

Companies are constantly changing. A once popular product could quickly fall out of favor with customers. Suppliers can change. Customer bases can expand. If you’re a rapidly growing company that’s struggling to keep up with customer demand, a quality 3PL provider can help. 

No matter the change, 3PL providers need to be ready and willing to change alongside their clients. Whether it’s expanding the amount of storage space their client needs in a short amount of time or adjusting how pallets are stored in the facility, nimble operators have the personnel and systems in place to quickly adapt. 

Inflexibility is one of the most significant factors behind inefficient logistics operations. The best 3PL warehouse providers understand this and are always willing to evolve.

Master Southern California Logistics with Cummins Logistics

Find out today why Cummins Logistics has been one of the most trusted names among 3PL providers for more than 40 years!